The team at Cumbrian bakery Lovingly Artisan, based at Plumgarths near Kendal, recently learned that they had been named Cumbria’s Best Bakery for the third consecutive year in the annual National Bakery Awards.

They join 91 other county champions from across the UK in the annual Bakery Business Magazine National Bakery Awards. Open to all UK bakeries, retail and wholesale, the awards celebrate the early mornings, long days, and dedication that define the industry. Each year, the accolades shine a light on the finest bakery businesses in the country, showcasing the diversity and creativity that make the UK bakery sector so vibrant.

Judges assessed a wide range of criteria that shape the overall customer experience, including marketing and digital presence, innovation, service, product range, and business growth. From hundreds of entries, each winning bakery was selected by a panel of leading industry experts for its commitment to quality, customer service, innovation, and operational best practice.

Winners were officially crowned at a celebration event held at Big Penny Social in London, where all 229 nominees gathered for an evening of recognition and networking. Alongside the County and Regional Awards, additional honours included Social Enterprise Bakery of the Year, Young Baker of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Bakery, and the top national accolade, National Bakery of the Year 2025.

Commenting on their County win, Lovingly Artisan co-owners Aidan Monks and Catherine Connor said: “Being named the Best Bakery in Cumbria for the third consecutive year is incredible for the whole team. It shows that what we craft each day is appreciated by our customers and by our peers. Our aim as a bakery is simple: to create healthy, nutritious breads that are the very best they can be for our customers across the region, from our bakery HQ just outside Kendal.”